U5 Jamboree

Introduction

At the 2004 AYSO NAGM in Phoenix, AZ, AYSO Executive Membership voted on and passed an amendment to the National Rules and Regulations to lower the minimum age requirement for participation in AYSO to four years of age.

The objective of this program is to provide young players and their parents with a “pressure free” introduction to the beautiful and simple game of soccer. At this age, players should be exposed to soccer by playing simple, fun activities and games that require little to no practice, and a minimal time commitment.

This program allows players to discover the game for themselves, while parents are given a soccer foundation on which to build and grow into future AYSO coaches, referees and administrators.

The AYSO Jamboree (4-year-olds) is not to be considered a coaching program. It is a program that is designated to be facilitated by a qualified AYSO Master Coach. The AYSO National Coaching Commission supports this program predicated on the basis that the guidelines provided within the Jamboree Master Coach Manual are followed and that all decisions regarding the program are made in the best interest of the players.

General

Every effort should be made to institute a Jamboree division separate from U-6, as there are significant social, emotional and physiological differences between four-year-old and five-year-old players.

AYSO’s membership year begins on August 1st each year and extends to the following July 31st. The effective date of age determination shall be the player’s age as of July 31st immediately prior to the start of the membership year. Players who have reached the age of four as of this date are eligible to participate – NO EXCEPTIONS!

Every effort should be made to have separate girls and boys divisions.

The Jamboree One with One format described within this document is the preferred program and should be followed when offering the Jamboree program.